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| Oil Change Through Dipstick Tube Using Vacuum Fluid Evacuator (Page 1/3) |
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Brian A
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JUL 02, 05:14 PM
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I cannot suction oil up through my dipstick tube using a Vacuum Fluid Evacuator.
I suspect that I cannot push the evacuator's tube into the oil pan. I have a 1987 GT (i.e. v6)
Is there some sort of kink or restriction down there that stops the tube from being inserted into the oil?
I am using this device:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR7TC[This message has been edited by Brian A (edited 07-02-2025).]
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cartercarbaficionado
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JUL 02, 05:42 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Brian A:
I cannot suction oil up through my dipstick tube using a Vacuum Fluid Evacuator.
I suspect that I cannot push the evacuator's tube into the oil pan. I have a 1987 GT (i.e. v6)
Is there some sort of kink or restriction down there that stops the tube from being inserted into the oil?
I am using this device:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR7TC
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why are you trying to use a fluid extractor?
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Brian A
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JUL 02, 05:46 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by cartercarbaficionado:
why are you trying to use a fluid extractor?
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I hate doing oil changes. I have three antique sportscars. I have friends who love their vacuum extractors and recommend them.
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Vintage-Nut
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JUL 02, 06:20 PM
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I won't comment.....
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Patrick
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JUL 02, 06:33 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Brian A:
I hate doing oil changes. I have three antique sportscars. I have friends who love their vacuum extractors and recommend them.
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I'm afraid to ask... but do you change your oil filters?
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Dennis LaGrua
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JUL 02, 06:38 PM
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Oil extractors work on some vehicles but do not work on others. The Fiero has a very small diameter dipstick tube. It may be hard to get the extractor tube down to the oil pan. My extracor works great on my Chrysler 300 but it still is not the best way for an oil change.. ------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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Brian A
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JUL 02, 06:43 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
I'm afraid to ask... but do you change your oil filters?
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Of course. Yeah, I get dribble down there and have to jack up the car.
My Ferrari (308 GTS QV) has the oil filter on the top, which is a joy to change because the car needn't be jack up for the extractor and the oil filter has already drained so doesn't dribble when you remove it.
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Brian A
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JUL 02, 06:49 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
Oil extractors work on some vehicles but do not work on others. The Fiero has a very small diameter dipstick tube. It may be hard to get the extractor tube down to the oil pan. My extracor works great on my Chrysler 300 but it still is not the best way for an oil change..
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Thanks for the information. Yeah, I compared how far the plastic suction tube gets down the dipstick tube compared to the dipstick itself and see that there must be some sort of constriction down there. I'll try to find a smaller diameter tube for next time (I just changed the oil the old-fashioned way) (blah).
Regarding your comment "not the best way", I am not sure what the problem is. I suppose it depends when there bottom of the dipstick tube lands. I would have (if it worked) pulled the drainplug just to see how much oil I was leaving behind. Friends with other cars report that the dipstick method leaves only a couple of ounces behind which is trivial for a 4 liter oil change. The filter has been picking up any crud that actually circulates.
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Brian A
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JUL 02, 07:02 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
I'm afraid to ask... but do you change your oil filters?
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... Actually, to be totally transparent, I tend to change the oil filter every second year / oil change. I only put about 1,500 miles per year per car and changing the filter every time seems like overkill. Admittedly, the Fiero gets flogged; I am headed out with it to Thunderhill Raceway on Sunday for the 5-mile course.
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Patrick
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JUL 02, 07:32 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Brian A:
Friends with other cars report that the dipstick method leaves only a couple of ounces behind which is trivial for a 4 liter oil change.
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Perhaps, but it's the worst "couple of ounces" of oil in the whole engine!
| quote | Originally posted by Brian A:
The filter has been picking up any crud that actually circulates.
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Brian, if you've ever removed an oil pan from an engine with some miles on it and seen what's sitting on the bottom, I think you'd understand why most of us here are aghast that you don't remove the drain plug and allow a lot of that crap at the bottom of the pan to drain out.[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-02-2025).]
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